Authorities have identified the suspect behind Monday’s tragic shooting at a Reno, Nevada casino as 26-year-old Dakota Hawver, a local resident with no prior criminal or mental health history. According to police, there is currently no known connection between Hawver and any of the victims.
The three people killed in the incident have been named as Andrew Canepa and Justin Aguila, both 33 and from Southern California, and 66-year-old Angel Martinez of northwest Nevada. Canepa and Aguila were in town for a bachelor party and were waiting near the valet area of the Grand Sierra Resort for transportation to the Reno-Tahoe International Airport when they were shot from behind, police said.
Canepa, described as a “kind soul” and father of a young child, was the co-owner of Side Street Café in Newbury Park, California, according to Jeff Gorell, a Ventura County Supervisor and former Los Angeles deputy mayor.
Martinez was fatally shot in the casino’s parking lot while driving away. Investigators say the gunman ambushed him from behind a parked vehicle.
Three others sustained injuries in the shooting. One was treated and released from the hospital, while two others remained hospitalized as of Tuesday, though both are expected to recover.
Authorities say the suspect used a legally purchased 9mm semi-automatic handgun during the attack, which began shortly before 7:30 a.m. Monday. The firearm appeared to jam briefly during the shooting, according to Sparks Police Chief Chris Crawforth.
As the suspect attempted to flee, he reportedly shot at a security guard who fired back. A shootout with responding officers followed, during which Hawver was critically injured and taken to the hospital, where he remains under care.
Investigators have yet to determine a motive for the attack, and the Sparks Police Department continues to investigate. The Grand Sierra Resort, a prominent venue known for hosting major entertainment acts, has not issued a public statement.
